Does anyone know a QUALITY 4 or 5 horse motor I could get for around $1000, even if I have to buy used?

You should be able to find a very good, later model used one in any of the top name brands, Mercury, Johnson, Evinrude, Yamaha, etc for a lot less than that.

I've got about a 1996/7 short shaft, 4hp Merc that has very few hours on it that someone might could talk me into selling for that kind of money. Just make sure you check on the shaft length, most of those little motor like that are used a kicker motors and have too long of a shaft length to transome mount on a small boat, if that's what you're wanting to do.

Might want to check these out.http://www.edsmarinesuperstore.com/mercury.htm

$699 and new.  This is a great little motor that will out last you if taken care of!

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10151&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&partNumber=50120&hvarTarget=search&cmCat=SearchResults

I wouldn't get a B&S motor.  That is just a lawnmower engine mounted on a lower unit.  It is real noisy, and the water will magnify noise.  Also, it is a one banger.  You are going to want two cylinders.  Other wise, it is gonna have a lot of vibration. Once you drive a two banger, you won't want to go back to a one.  My four horse eats almost nothing in the way of gas.  Since we got it at Christmas, we have run it WOT for about 7 hours and used 3 gal of fuel.

You can get a good used Johnnyrude 4 or 5 for a reasonable price.  I have a 4 hp deluxe (not selling) and would recommend a Johnson or 'rude to anybody.  The small motors last forever and beyond.  I can get many to vouch on that too.  In fact, there is someone selling a 4 hp deluxe on Atlanta Craigslist right now.  The deluxe is better because it has a reverse gear instead of just turning the motor around.  I will PM it to you.

i also would not get the b&s 5 hp. i had a chance to run one last year on my 1444 g3. the boat 2 200# men and gear , the top speed was 6 mph on a hand held gps. the motor is loud and vibrates like crazy. that being said if i cme across one for say 250$ i might buy it. with a 1000$ budget i would be looking at new 5 or 6 hp. go to internet uotboards or small outboards.com to see their selection. i hope this helps

check out http://www.smalloutboards.com/ they have some nice ones

don't over look those old Johnso 5-6hp. I have a mid 60's model that runs like a top. never needs anything. can sit for a few years and start right up. the are good old motors. this place has a few of them.

I know I pushed the 4 hp deluxe a lot, almost any old Johnnyrude will be a motor to swear by.  There are many on ebay right now, and you could get an old running one, then in the winter when you aren't fishing you could work on restoring it cosmetically.  With an old 50's seahorse you will be getting lots of complements on the lake.